Chapter 4 of Afloat in the Forest is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IV
Chapter 4 of Afloat in the Forest is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
"Nothing at present. We must have patience, master." "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them." "Ah! I wish the _Curupira_ had him.
Chapter 4 of Afloat in the Forest is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.
surrounded by hostile forces
From this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
transmit information
From this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading “We must have patience, master."”
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
From this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
join again
From this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.
Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.
In this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
In this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
In this reading “"For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."”
Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.
Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Nothing at present.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
surrounded by hostile forces
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
transmit information
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wish the _Curupira_ had him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I wish the _Curupira_ had him.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We must have patience, master."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I wish the _Curupira_ had him.
ten 10s
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading We must have patience, master."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading We must have patience, master."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "Nothing at present.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
and nothing more
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading We must have patience, master."
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Nothing at present.
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
join again
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
make an effort or attempt
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
precisely as stated
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We must have patience, master."
hope for; have a wish
From this reading I wish the _Curupira_ had him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
but in spite of that
From this reading "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's very provoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a few hundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin or communicate with them."
Chapter 4 of Afloat in the Forest by Mayne Reid holds 428 sentences, grouped into 86 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.
Chapter 4 holds 428 sentences of Afloat in the Forest, unabridged, divided into 86 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 4 of Afloat in the Forest by Mayne Reid exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 428 sentences, grouped into 86 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.
Work through the 86 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 86 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.
Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.
Common questions about reading Afloat in the Forest by Mayne Reid on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 4474 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #35213 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #35213, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 372 minutes of reading across 895 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Afloat in the Forest section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 11 chapters of Afloat in the Forest to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Afloat in the Forest, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
